February 08, 2012

All Aboard for Thomas the Tank Engine, when the classic storybook friend steams into Miami, FL for the Day Out with Thomas Mystery On the Rails Tour! This fun-filled family event, which offers the opportunity to ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, will engineer miles of smiles at every scheduled arrival. Everyone's #1 Engine chugs into the Gold Coast Railroad Museum for a 4-day event, March 3, 4, 10 & 11.

Join us in a day full of fun featuring a meet and greet photo opportunity with Sir Topham Hatt, Thomas & Friends storytelling and video viewing, free giveaways, live music, arts & craft and more!

KidVision will be giving away a set of tickets to the event daily beginning February 6. Each set of tickets include admission into the event, a free professional 8” x 10” photo with Thomas the Tank Engine and a 25 minute train ride!

All you have to do is be the first to answer the daily Thomas & Friends trivia question correctly. The trivia questions will be posted on the wall of the KidVision Facebook page. You must be a fan of the KidVision Facebook page to participate. All responses must be emailed to kristina_gutierrez@wpbt.org in order to be considered.

February 01, 2012

The program kicks off its three-part second season February 3 on WPBT2, with a multifaceted journey through the history of American song by the acclaimed musician and five-time Grammy®-nominated vocalist.

Michael Feinstein’s American Songbookgives viewers an intimate look at Feinstein on stage, behind the scenes and onthe road, where he has all-new adventures in his quest to celebrate and preserve the gems of classic American music.

Friday, February 3at 9:00 p.m.Episode 1 - Time Machines Feinstein explores how technology has preserved and altered the way we think about the great songs and singers of the past. Feinstein goes on a cross-country quest — even stopping at Hugh Hefner’s mansion — to uncover the various ways musical performances were documented, and the eclectic array of collectors and performers who are keeping that music alive. Includes a guest appearance by Hefner.

Friday, February 10at 9:00 p.m.Episode 2 - Lost and FoundLost and Found,follows Feinstein’s discovery and authentication of an undocumented song by one of the giants of American popular music. Feinstein also persuades legendary Broadway songwriter Jerry Herman to teach him an unknown song from his own songwriter’s “trunk,” one that’s never been heard prior to this broadcast. Includes a guest appearance by Tony Award-winner Christine Ebersole.

Friday, February 17at 9:00 p.m.Episode 3 - Saloon Singers We examine the allure of musical nightlife, from Mississippi juke joints to the neon lights of Las Vegas. Feinstein delves into the history of nightclub entertainment, from the Cotton Club to Sinatra’s Rat Pack. In addition, he talks to pioneers of the form, including entertainer Rose Marie, and poet and author Maya Angelou, who once made her living doing a calypso club act in San Francisco.

WPBT2 celebrates Black History Month with special programming beginning Thursday, February 2.

Thursday, February 2 at 11:00 p.m.

Independent Lens: Daisy Bates: First Lady of Little Rock As a black woman who was a feminist before the term was invented, Daisy Bates refused to accept her assigned place in society. This program tells the story of her life and public support of nine black students who registered to attend the all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, which culminated in a constitutional crisis — pitting a president against a governor and a community against itself. Unconventional, revolutionary and egotistical, Bates reaped the rewards of instant fame, but paid dearly for it.

Friday, February 3 at 10:00 p.m. & Monday, February 13 at 10:30 p.m.Reggae: The Story of Jamaican Music Ten years after their Independence, Jamaica was gripped by unemployment, crime and violence, and as so many of the emerging generation of Jamaicans, who had grown up with Independence, were victims of this, they reacted with the most potent weapon at their disposal – music. As the 1970s unfolded, subject matter changed to give voice to the protests the people wanted to express against the government, while urging their fellow youth to stick to the path of righteousness. Reggae music became a way to combine the two ideals.

Monday, February 6 at 10:00 p.m.Underground Railroad: The William Still Story Extraordinary people risked their lives to help fugitive slaves escape via the clandestine Underground Railroad. Among them was William Still of Philadelphia, a free black man who accepted delivery of transported crates containing human “cargo.” This documentary reveals some of the dramatic, lesser-known stories behind this humanitarian enterprise, and explores key Canadian connections, including the surprising fate of former slaves who crossed the border to “Freedom’s Land.”

Tuesday, February 7 at 8:00 p.m. American Experience: Freedom Riders In 1961, segregation seemed to have an overwhelming grip on American society. Many states violently enforced the policy, while the federal government remained indifferent, preoccupied with matters abroad. That is, until an integrated band of college students, decided, en masse, to risk everything and buy a ticket on a Greyhound bus bound for the Deep South. They called themselves the Freedom Riders, and they managed to bring the president and the entire American public face to face with the challenge of correcting civil-rights inequities that plagued the nation.

Thursday, February 9 at 11:00 p.m.

Independent Lens: The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 Combining startlingly fresh and candid 16mm footage that had lain undiscovered in the cellar of Swedish Television for the past 30 years, with contemporary audio interviews from leading African-American artists, activists, musicians and scholars, ”Mixtape” looks at the people, society, culture and style that fueled an era of convulsive change, 1967-1975. Utilizing an innovative format that riffs on the popular 1970s mixtape format, this is a cinematic and musical journey into the black communities of America.

Monday, February 13 at 9:00 p.m. Slavery By Another Name A Sundance Film Festival selection for 2012, this new documentary explores the little-known story of the post-Emancipation era and the labor practices and laws that effectively created a new form of slavery in the South that persisted well into the 20th century. Blackmon examines the concept of “neo slavery,” which sentenced African-Americans to forced labor for violating an array of laws that criminalized their everyday behavior. Actor Laurence Fishburne (“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” Thurgood) narrates.

Monday, February 16 at 11:00 p.m.Independent Lens: More Than a Month Shukree Hassan Tilghman, a 29-year-old African-American filmmaker, is on a cross-country campaign to end Black History Month. Through this tongue-in-cheek journey, “More Than a Month” investigates what the treatment of history tells us about race and equality in a “post-racial” America.

Friday, February 24 at 9:00 p.m. Great Performances: Memphis Winner of the 2010 Tony Award for Best New Musical, “Memphis” turns the radio dial back to the 1950s to tell the story of a white DJ, named Huey Calhoun (Chad Kimball), whose love of music transcends race lines and airwaves. His romantic interest is Felicia Farrell (Montego Glover), a young black singer whose career is on the rise. When the two collaborate, her soulful music reaches radio audiences everywhere, and the golden era of early rock ‘n’ roll takes flight. But as things heat up, whether the world is really ready for their music — or their love — is put to a test.

Wednesday, February 27 at 10:00 p.m. American Masters: Cab Calloway: Sketches “Minnie the Moocher,” with its popular refrain “Hi de hi de hi de ho,” was Cab Calloway’s signature song, and Harlem’s famous Cotton Club was his home stage. A singer, dancer and band leader, he was an exceptional figure in the history of jazz: a consummate musician, he charmed audiences around the world with boundless energy, bravado and elegant showmanship. His back glide dance step is the precursor to Michael Jackson’s moonwalk, and his scatting lyrics find their legacy in today’s hip-hop and rap. An ambassador for his race, Calloway was one of the first black musicians to tour the segregationist South, as early as 1932.

January 20, 2012

Tune in for all-new restaurant reviews…and a fresh new look on Check, Please! South Florida, beginning January 23rd on WPBT2. This season, WPBT2’s popular restaurant review show will sport an updated graphic open, revamped logo, and even new theme music!

Host Michelle Bernstein returns to the Emmy-nominated series, along with fifteen opinionated guest reviewers from all across South Florida. Their dining picks run the gamut, from a colorful Colombian spot in South Miami to the chic and trendy Bistro Chez Jean-Pierre in Palm Beach. Guest reviewers include a South Beach model, Hollywood golf caddy, and Palm Beach financial advisor. One episode features local female impersonator, Miss Finesse, as one of the guest reviewers.

The fun begins Monday, January 23, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. Episodes repeat on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 5:30 p.m.

Season 7 is made possible by the generous support of Badia Spices, Whole Foods Market, Johnson & Wales University, and George & Helen Weaver.

December 16, 2011

One of the most phenomenally popular series in MASTERPIECE history and multiple emmy winner is back for an exciting second season: Downton Abbey: Season 2 resumes the story of aristocrats and servants of Downton Abbey during the tumultuous World War I era.

The international hit, written by Julian Fellowes, stars Dame Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern and Hugh Bonneville, as well as a drawing room full of new actors, portraying the loves, feuds and sacrifices of a glittering culture thrown into crisis. Laura Linney hosts.

Downton Abbey: Season 2 premieres Sunday, January 8 at 9:00 p.m. and continues every Sunday through February 19 on WPBT2.

December 14, 2011

Flagler’s Trainis a one hour documentary, produced by WPBT2, which chronicles the imagination and achievements of Henry Morrison Flagler, who spearheaded the development of the overseas railway connecting Key West to the existing Florida East Coast Railway.

Traveling on the Over-Sea Railroad was more like riding on a ship than a train, a departure from the mainland on a journey that went to sea across the turquoise waters between the Atlantic Ocean and the gulf of Mexico. The destination was Key West, a jewel at the end of a far-flung chain of emerald islands known as the Florida Keys. Here was the fulfillment of an extraordinary vision joined by the hopes of many, perfected in the sacrifices and labor of thousands at a time when Americans believed anything was possible in a country destined for greatness.

The program features archival photographs, personal correspondence, original drawings of the Over-Sea Railroad project and newspaper articles of the day, tracing daily reports of the human struggles and technological achievements needed to complete the Florida East Coast Railway.

“WPBT produced the documentary to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Henry Morrison Flagler’s arrival aboard the first passenger train to Key West on January 22, 1912. The much celebrated event marked the official opening of the Florida East Coast Railway’s Key West Extension connecting Key West to the mainland,” said Mark Baker, producer of Flagler’s Train: The Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad.

Much like Titanic, nature had the final say over the project and the remains of this great experiment still stand as a reminder of this feat of engineering and ingenuity a century later.

December 13, 2011

Broward Cultural Division recently announced Young At Art (YAA) Museum as the eighth Cultural Institution in Broward County, as defined by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners, as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council.

This new designation will now include YAA in a group of Broward County’s largest cultural not-for-profit organizations. The other seven are: Bonnet House, Hollywood Art and Culture Center, Museum of Discovery and Science, NSU Museum of Art Division, Opera Guild of Fort Lauderdale, Symphony of Americas, Inc., and The Broward County Film Society.

To be considered for designation as a CI, a non-profit organization must meet very specific criteria, including carrying an annual operating budget of at least $1 million; have an uninterrupted ten-year history of providing services in Broward County in their established cultural disciplines; must be qualified and designated as Cultural Institution Program organization by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council.

Young At Art Museum has come a long way since its early days in 1986, when artists from the Museum Without Walls traveled South Florida, creating an awareness campaign and discovering a community need. The Broward Cultural Council made an investment through a Mini Grant, to a then, small not-for-profit organization located in the heart of Plantation. Young At Art was surrounded by families and lots of un-built space. Today, more than 25 years later, the community has grown and so has the need for their services, leading to $21 million in new construction, of a 55,000 square-foot, LEED certified Young At Art Museum in partnership with Broward County Library, along the I-595 corridor in Davie, and scheduled for completion in Spring 2012. The museum is geared to be the new epicenter of art, culture and education for families featuring four permanent galleries: GreenScapes, CultureScapes, WonderScapes and ArtScapes.

This recent CI designation follows another recognition, that of national accreditation earlier this year, by the American Association of Museums (AAM). Young At Art (YAA) Museum stands alone in the state of Florida as the only children’s museum to achieve this national accreditation by the AAM, and one of only six children’s museums in the nation to receive this accreditation; and of the 17,500 museums nationally, only 779 or 4.5 percent are accredited; and this elite group includes such well-known institutions as The Smithsonian, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Field Museum in Chicago and the Getty Museum in Los Angeles; and of the 779 accredited nationally, 49 are in the state of Florida. Young at Art is the fourth museum in Broward County to be accredited with this honor, following the Nova Southeastern University, Museum of Art|Fort Lauderdale, the Museum of Discovery and Science and Bonnet House Museum and Gardens.

Star Gazers, a production of WPBT2, South Florida Public Media, is a new astronomy series built on the legacy of Jack Horkheimer’s award-winning series.

Star Gazers hosts Dean Regas, the outreach astronomer for the Cincinnati Observatory and Marlene Hidalgo, a science educator who represents the Miami Science Museum, will provide on-camera commentary and answer questions from WPBT2’s online audience as the lunar eclipse unfolds. Joining Dean and Marlene during the webcast will be Bill Dishong, series producerof Star Gazers and Star Gazerwith Jack Horkheimer; and Dan Ruby, Associate Director of the Fleischmann Planetarium in Reno, Nevada.

Host Dean Regas is excited to explore the celestial sky with viewers, “I love the beauty and precision of an eclipse. It’s a powerful moment when the Sun, Moon, and Earth line up just right to turn the Moon an eerie shade. Each eclipse is a unique experience and I’m looking forward to sharing this rare celestial alignment.”

While most of North American and Hawaii viewers may be able to see the moonset still in eclipse, viewers on the East Coast and in South America will not be able to see the eclipse. Those along the west coast of the United States and Canada will see the beginning of totality just as the moon disappears below the western horizon.

“The WPBT2’s Star Gazers Live Event offers the opportunity for everyone to enjoy and discuss the entire lunar eclipse regardless of their location. I am so thrilled that I will be onsite to witness and cover the event from Reno, Nevada. I look forward to being able to share this experience with viewers, especially those in the Midwest and on the east coast, who will not be able to see the eclipse in it's entirety,” stated Host Marlene Hildago.

December 02, 2011

WPBT2 will host two dinners with Jim Lehrer, PBS NewsHour Anchor and also moderator of eleven Presidential Debates, on Wednesday, February 22 at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach and Thursday, February 23 at the Coral Gables Country Club. Ticket information for the dinners is available at wpbt2.org/lehrer.

Jim Lehrercame to PBS in 1972, teaming with Robert MacNeil in 1973 to cover the Senate Watergate hearings. They began in 1975 what became The MacNeil/Lehrer Report, and, in 1983, the MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour, the first 60-minute evening news program on television. When MacNeil retired in 1995, the program was renamed The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer.

In the last six presidential elections, Lehrer moderated eleven of the nationally televised candidate debates. His latest book, a non-fiction work about the presidential debates, titled Tension City,was published in September 2011. At the WPBT2 dinners, Lehrer will discuss his latest book and give attendees a ringside seat for some of the epic political battles or our time, shedding light on some of the critical turning points and theoretical faux pas that helped determine the outcome of America's presidential elections. He will provide antedotes from his experiences as "the man in the middle seat."

During the Evenings with Jim Lehrer, WPBT2 will also present Lifetime Service Awards to William F. Koch, Jr. and Herbert A. Tobin for their commitment to public television WPBT2.

Tune in for this Music Special on Saturday, December 3 at 9pm on WPBT2, 60s POP, ROCK & SOUL: MY MUSIC. Beloved British Icons, The Monkees’ Davy Jones and Herman’s Hermits’ Peter Noone present an All-Star Lineup of Sixties Hits Peter Noone performs “I’m into Something Good," “I’m Henry the Eight, I Am” and “There’s a Kind of Hush” while Davy Jones sings the ever popular “Daydream Believer.”

Davy Jones, a South Florida resident himself asks all viewers to support public television and show you care about the station that brings all the specials and British classics to your living room each and every week. For more information, call 1-800-222-9728 or go online at www.wpbt2.org.